Digital Transformation Illustrated at a Catholic Primary School in Kaarst
News Article: Digitalization Mini-Conference Highlights Innovative Approach to Education
Today, Kaarst Elementary School in Rhein-Kreis Neuss hosted the second event in a series of digitalization mini-conferences aimed at enhancing student learning and engagement through the integration of digital tools and projects.
The conference, which attracted teachers from elementary and special needs schools, as well as school administrators from the region, provided a platform for educators to share their experiences and learn from each other.
Focus on Learning Apps and Robotics
The school showcased various educational apps that support personalized learning, allowing students to practice and reinforce subjects like math, reading, and language skills in an interactive way. Adaptive progression aligned with each student's learning pace was a key feature of these apps.
Robotics was highlighted as a key tool for fostering STEM skills early on. Students engaged in hands-on activities using programmable robots like Bee-Bots and Blue-Bots, which encourage problem-solving, logical thinking, and teamwork.
Grade-Specific Projects
The mini-conference presented how digital projects are tailored to the age and skill levels of each grade. For lower grades, the focus was on interactive storytelling, basic coding games, and digital art. Middle grades saw the introduction of simple robotics, digital presentations, and multimedia projects. Upper grades delved into more advanced programming, collaborative project work using cloud tools, and research using digital resources.
Teacher Training and Support
Teachers received training on incorporating these digital tools effectively and on managing blended learning environments to maximize student participation and learning outcomes.
Community and Parental Involvement
The event emphasized the importance of involving parents and the local community to support digital literacy and responsible technology use.
Free Attendance
Attendance at the mini-conference was free, making it accessible to all interested educators. The conference also featured a session on designing using the Book Creator, showcasing grade-specific projects using tablets, and demonstrating the potential of robotics in the classroom. Overall, the event highlighted a thoughtful and structured approach to digitalization in education, emphasizing practical, age-appropriate digital skills and the integration of technology to complement traditional teaching methods.
- Other educational apps, such as those demonstrating digital art and basic coding games for lower grades, were presented at the digitalization mini-conference as alternative tools for enhancing student learning and engagement.
- To provide a holistic approach to technology education and self-development, the digitalization mini-conference underscored the necessity of equipping teachers with knowledge on integrating robotics, like Bee-Bots and Blue-Bots, into their lesson plans to foster STEM skills in students.
